(Column 4, January 6, 2011)
By Donald H. Harrison
San Diego and Israel
Monica Bauer Federman, spokeswoman for the Anti-Defamation League, which always works closely with law enforcement agencies, says there will be a San Diego Police Department presence at the dueling Middle East rallies on Sunday afternoon in Balboa Park to make certain that pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli forces don’t physically clash.
Audrey Jacobs, a co-chair of the San Diego Israel Coalition, which called for Jewish community members to counter the rally organized by Palestinians and a variety of left-wing groups to voice support for Gaza, said that strict rules of behavior are being urged upon the Jewish demonstrators.
“We’re very committed to guide our supporters to act respectfully: no shouting, no chanting, only singing, and we will provide song sheets, signs, information, and education,” she said. “Our obligations are to spread the truth, and for dignity and respect for all.”
Jacobs said the pro-Israel demonstration will bring together Jewish advocacy organizations and various Christian groups that support Israel, including the memberships of several Latin churches and the Christians United for Israel
Those interested in participating in the pro-Israel rally should gather approximately at 2:30 p.m. at the Moreton Bay fig tree between the Natural History Museum and Spanish Village for an educational briefing by J.J. Surbeck, director of the Israel advocacy group T.E.A.M, on what led up to Operation Cast Lead. This was the military operation in Gaza by which Israel attempted to quell continuous rocket attacks by Hamas on nearby Israeli cities and towns.
Signs and song sheets will be distributed before members of the group makes their way about 3 p.m. to the large fountain along Park Boulevard between the Natural History Museum and the Reuben Fleet Science Center, where Palestinians have planned to gather in protest of Israel policies and in support of Gaza.
“This is in response to the Palestinian demonstration, however we see it as an excellent opportunity to educate the public about Israel, and its commitment to peace,” Jacobs said.
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Dan Schaffer, a close reader of Middle East commentaries, has commended a speech made by columnist Melanie Phillips to an audience in Ariel, West Bank, Israel about the successes that Palestinians have made in the continuous psychological warfare conducted in the West against Israel.
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Househusband, a comedy by Israeli playwright Anat Gov translated into English by Margalit Rodgers, will be presented by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture in a staged reading at 7 p.m., Monday, at the Lawrence Family JCC’s Astor Judaica Library. D. Candis Paule is the director. Admission is $5. RSVPs and Information at (858) 362-1154.
Synagogues, Temples and Minyanim
Chabad of La Costa plans to replace its facility near the corner of La Costa and El Camino Real in Carlsbad with a larger, more modern structure. Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort reports: “At the General Membership meeting held during December those in attendance were updated regarding the progress of our endeavor to build our new facility. Dr. Michael Galperin, Chairman of the Building Committee, announced that we have officially filed for our Conditional Use Permit with the City of Carlsbad. We anticipate their positive response in the very near future. Once that has been accomplished we will have to file for permits to grade our property and to build-in our new facility.
“Clearly we are moving forward and the pace is quickening. Once the approved CUP is received we expect that things will speed up even more. Community involvement on all levels, from financial to planning, is encouraged.”
The congregation is now planning a fundraising auction to be held on Purim, Sunday March 20. We are asking all of our friends to try and get high quality prizes for the auction.” Our goal for the auction is to raise at least $50,000 to be used exclusively for our new facility,” Eilfort said.
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Margalit Rosenthal, daughter of Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, will address Tifereth Israel Synagogue at a Shabbat luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 8, on the subject of how internet technology is affecting Jewish institutions. She is a graduate student in New York University’s Wagner/Skirball dual degree program in non-profit management and Hebrew/ Judaic Studies.
Jewish Communal Organizations
Jewish Family Service is recruiting Jewish Big Pals to serve as mature male influences in the lives of Jewish youngsters. As this is National Mentoring Month, what better time to sign up? Informational meetings are planned from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the JFS Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Ave. in San Diego, and from 6;30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, January 31, at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea. Information and registration for either event may be obtained by calling (858) 637-3371. …
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World